We all want to succeed at our jobs. There are few simple things that you can do that can make your time on the clock easier. We all stand to learn from the list below.
1. Dress appropriately. Lasting impressions are formed in those first few weeks, so pay special attention to your grooming. Be clean, neat and dress according to the company’s explicit or implicit dress code.
2. Arrive early and work a full day. Show up for work a few minutes early, and don’t rush out at the end of the day. Consistently demonstrate that you are going to give them their money’s worth in terms of your presence and participation in the organization.
3. Communicate in a positive, energetic and enthusiastic manner. You will be most successful when you are characterized by being pleasant, optimistic and happy to be in your position. Leave your problems at home; don’t complain or bring other negative emotions with you to work.
4. Become a student of the organization. Make a file for notes on key people, contact information, policies & procedures that are important for your position, as well as random pieces of information that come your way that you think will be helpful to you in doing a good job. In addition, seek to acquire information about the company (newsletters, articles, annual reports, and other resources) that tell you more about what the organization is doing and where it is heading.
5. Take initiative to serve within the organization. In addition to doing well at your assigned responsibilities, look for opportunities to be of service in other ways. It may be as easy as signing up to bring a dessert for an office party, or doing something that will require more effort such as volunteering to do a task others have avoided. (In the case of the latter, always check with your boss to make sure that he or she is supportive of your doing the new task, and that it won’t compromise your productivity in your primary responsibilities.)
6. Check in with your boss regularly. In the first week, check in for a few minutes each day or two with your boss. (Depending on the culture of your company, these might be scheduled meetings or informal conversations.) This is a time for you to ask questions, and get your boss’ feedback on what you have been doing. These meetings give you critical information about your performance early on.
7. Study your boss. Get to know his or her preferences and personality. For example, does he like to make small talk before diving into a business discussion, or consider it a waste of time and prefer getting right to the point? If you tailor your interactions to his or her preferred communication and work style, you will be viewed more positively.
8. Be an asset to the entire team. Show appreciation for those who help you induct into organization; be trustworthy by not violating confidences, gossiping or badmouthing anyone; look to help others regularly; praise others and share credit; make your boss look good; speak well (or don’t speak at all) about your department and/or company to outsiders.